We clarified some basic rules of conduct when people interact with each other on our services

Permission to use your content

This section defines the scope of the permissions (or licence) that you grant to us if you choose to share content with our services.

We simplified the structure and language, and provided examples to make the licence easier to understand. Note that we’re not changing how we use your content, or asking for additional permissions.

We made the licence more precise. For example, we clarified that we’ll only publicly display your content if you’ve made it visible to others and we clarified the duration of the licence.

We also clarified what the licence does not cover. For example, the licence doesn’t affect your privacy rights.

Using Google services

Your Google Account

This section provides information about creating a Google Account and your responsibilities if you do create one.

We added a link to age requirements necessary to create a Google Account, and to resources to help you create an account

We added a link to the Security Checkup, to help you keep your Google Account secure

Using Google services on behalf of an organization

This section explains that if you use the services on behalf of an organization, the administrator of that Google Account may have some control over how you use the services.

Service-related communications

This section describes how we communicate with you regarding our services and how we use your feedback regarding our services.

Content in Google services

This section explains that as you use Google services, you may see (1) your content, (2) Google content, and (3) content that belongs to other people and organizations. It provides you with information related to that content, how that content can be used, and how to contact us with any concerns.

We added a link to the Google Brand Permissions page, which explains our brand standards and the permission you’ll need if you’d like to use our branding

Software in Google Services

This section describes software that you may find in our services, and explains the permissions given to you to use that software.

We simplified the description of the license that we grant you

In case of problems and disagreements

This section explains the legal concepts that establish expectations and responsibilities in case of problems.

We used clearer language to explain that, by law, you have the right to (1) a certain quality of service, and (2) ways to fix problems if things go wrong, and that the Terms don’t limit or take away any of those rights

Warranty

This section provides you with a warranty, which is an assurance that a product or service will perform to a certain standard.

We have committed to providing our services using reasonable skill and care

Disclaimers

This section provides you with a disclaimer that specifies and limits our legal responsibilities under the Terms and service-specific additional terms.

Liabilities

This section describes potential liabilities in case of problems — both liabilities to you and to Google. A liability is a loss from any type of legal claim. These Terms only limit our responsibilities as allowed by applicable law.

We clarified that we’re responsible only for the rights and liabilities described in the Terms, the service-specific additional terms, and for things that can’t be limited by law

We clarified that we don’t limit our liability for certain things, such as death or personal injury, fraud, gross negligence and wilful misconduct

For business users and organizations, we added new language about what we’re accountable for in case of problems, including increasing the amount of money you can recover from us and specifying the things that Google isn’t responsible for

We clarified the indemnity that business users and organizations provide to us relating to unlawful use of the services or violation of the Terms or service-specific terms

Taking action in case of problems

We clarified the circumstances in which we can remove your content and when we might suspend or terminate your access to Google services

We committed to notifying you in advance before taking action where reasonably possible and describe some limited exceptions

We added a link to an appeal process if you think we’ve terminated your account in error

This section is new

Settling disputes, governing law, and courts

This section explains which laws and courts we’ll use to resolve any legal disputes.

About these terms

This section describes the general provisions that apply to the Terms.

We clarified that nothing in the Terms is intended to restrict any rights that you may have under law

We clarified why we might make changes to the Terms or service-specific additional terms. Now you’ll receive advance notice from us if we’re going to make a material change, except when we launch a new feature or service, or if there’s an urgent situation.

We clarified that if you don’t agree to changes we make to our Terms, you should remove your content and stop using the services or close your Google Account

Key Terms

This section describes key words that appear in the Terms.

This section is new

Frequently asked questions

Why did you change your Terms of Service now?

We’re improving our Terms of Service and making them easier for you to understand. These changes reflect an evolving regulatory environment and also our ongoing efforts to simplify how we communicate with users.

What are the main changes?

Please see the summary of changes above for a detailed list of changes to our Terms of Service. At a glance, here’s what this update means for you:

Improved readability: While our Terms remain a legal document, we’ve done our best to make them easier to understand, including by adding links to useful information and providing definitions.

Better communication: We’ve clearly explained when we’ll make changes to our services (like adding or removing a feature) and when we’ll restrict or end a user’s access. And we’ll do more to notify you when a change negatively impacts your experience on our services.

Adding Google Chrome, Google Chrome OS and Google Drive to the Terms: Our improved Terms now cover Google Chrome, Google Chrome OS, and Google Drive, which also have service-specific terms and policies to help you understand what’s unique to those services.

No changes to our Privacy Policy: We’re not making any changes to the Google Privacy Policy and we haven’t made any changes to the way we treat your information. As a reminder, you can always visit your Google Account to review your privacy settings and manage how your data is used.

What does the updated Terms of Service mean for my privacy and data?

We haven’t made any changes to the way we treat your information. You can read about our privacy practices by reviewing the Privacy Policy. And as a reminder, you can always review your privacy settings and manage your data and personalisation by visiting your Google Account.

Why are you moving Google Drive, Google Chrome and Google Chrome OS to the Google-wide Terms of Service? What does this mean for my use of these products?

Nothing changes about how your information is treated in Google Chrome, Google Chrome OS, and Google Drive. With the launch of the updated Terms of Service, your use of these products is governed by the improved Terms of Service in addition to their service-specific additional terms and policies. This makes it easier to understand the general terms that apply to most Google services alongside the service-specific additional terms and policies that apply to particular products, like Google Drive, Google Chrome, and Chrome OS. Our privacy policies aren’t changing. The Google Privacy Policy still applies to the information we collect across Google products, including Chrome and ChromeOS (as explained in the Chrome Privacy Notice), and Drive.

Does this have anything to do with the European Union Copyright Directive or GDPR?

No, these changes aren’t related to the European Union Copyright Directive or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

What if I don’t accept the updated Terms of Service?

If you don’t agree to the new terms, you should remove your content and stop using the services. You can also end your relationship with us at any time by deleting your Google Account.